2022 Volume 37 Issue 4 Pages 693-698
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition in which gastric contents flow back into the esophagus due to dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter. The number of patients with this disease is increasing worldwide, and reflux symptoms can lead to a decline in quality of life. Although proton pump inhibitors are effective, many patients are refractory to treatment. In these cases, cardioplasty may be an option, but is associated with the risk of complications and is often ineffective. The LINX Reflux Management System was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2012 as a treatment to bridge the gap between medical and surgical therapies. This system consists of a ring-shaped device made of multiple magnetic titanium beads tied together with a wire which is laparoscopically placed around the esophagogastric junction to enhance the function of the lower esophageal sphincter by magnetic force, thereby preventing reflux. Although not covered by health insurance in Japan, this system is widely used overseas with documented efficacy and safety. In this report, we performed upper gastrointestinal series on a health checkup examinee with an implanted LINX device and confirmed by imaging that there was no problem with the open/close function of the LINX device. In Japan, the opportunity to perform upper gastrointestinal series on patients with an implanted LINX device at health checkup facilities is expected to increase. Knowledge of the LINX Reflux Management System should be deepened to allow such patients to be accepted without hesitation.
